Call For Proposals For New Grant To Improve Downtown Farmville

Community Helps Choose Winner at Inaugural SOUP Event

Applications are now being accepted from individuals or organizations (profit or non-profit) for a grant that will improve the downtown Farmville community. Thanks to a generous donation from Longwood University up to $5000 will be awarded.

Proposed projects could range from art, urban agriculture, social entrepreneurship, education, technology or more. The deadline to submit applications is March 21, 2016, and should be submitted online here

Based on the number of submissions, a minimum of four entrants will be asked to present at the SOUP Event on April 1, 2016, at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. That evening, each presenter will have four minutes to share their idea with the community. Audience members can then ask each presenter up to four questions. After the presentations, the community will place their votes and enjoy soup, bread, and good company while the results are tallied with the winner of the grant announced at the end of the evening.

A $5.00 donation at the door of the event will help fund the best proposal presented that night, based on attendees’ votes.

“Improving a community begins with an idea. But it takes initiative to develop that idea and financial support for it to become a reality,” said Joe Gills, a Farmville Downtown Partnership volunteer and the SOUP event coordinator. “Farmville Downtown exists to help the community by offering a grassroots model for crowdfunding creative projects—while enjoying a tasty meal.”

Originating in Detroit, SOUP events are now held all over the country as a way to fund creative projects. The event generates discussion about community grant projects and helps develop partnerships between applicants and the region. The goal of the Farmville Downtown SOUP event is just that.

“We encourage you to submit an application for your idea to improve the Farmville community in some way,” said Gills. “Even if you are unable to submit, please consider attending the event to vote for your favorite idea and help someone’s idea become a reality.”

Farmville Downtown Partnership District

Entries will be judged based on the creativity of the idea, the degree to which the proposal will benefit downtown Farmville and the feasibility of its budget. The winning idea will be implemented under the auspices of the Farmville Downtown Partnership in conjunction with its proposer.

For more information about Farmville Downtown SOUP click here, e-mail us at soup@farmvilledowntown.com or find us on social media: